No Shame

Every time I hear the word "shame," I think of how Gomer Pyle accentuated the word: "Shame! Shame! Shame!" he would say in his slow prolonged Southern drawl. I'm also reminded of one of our familly pets (named DC) who knew he was in trouble, and do his best to hide from us. According to Noah Webster's 1868 dictionary, shame is "a painful sensation excited by a consciousness of guilt." Although I've often said there is little shame these days, we all know what shame is or what it should be! In Paul's second letter to young Timothy, he wrote,  "Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15 AMP). The word "study" carries with it the state of eagerness to be the best we can be. Let's be clear: the world's idea of best is not the standard Paul is referring to in this verse. He plainly says the standard is one approved by God! For the child of God (born-again, redeemed), this state-of-being unashamed is not to be taken casually. Scripture tells us that Ezra "devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel" (Ezra 7:10 NIV). Honestly, that to which we "devote" ourselves to reveals what we consider most important - a priority. Let me say from experience: neglect leads to shame. When I neglect mopping or scrubbing or dusting, my floors, bathrooms and furniture become "shamefully" dirty. Paul reminds us to make haste (eagerly, diligently) give our very best effort (do our best) to study and meditate on God's Word so that we become approved by God Most High and bear ... no shame.

Show-Off Faith

For most of our day-to-day decisions, we rely on basic common sense - I'm grateful for that sensibility!  Common sense, however, is often a hindrance to faith.  The way of faith can be paralyzing but it’s the way of Christ: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7).  “At the bar of common sense, Jesus Christ’s statements may seem mad; but bring them to the bar of faith, and you begin to find with awestruck spirit that they are the words of God.” (Oswald Chambers).  When we come to decisions based on pure reason,  faith usually loses to the sensible.  God assures us faith is displays our decisions: “Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:26).  Faith’s evidences will be its non-sense moves – those decisions made in faith in spite of common sense.  This is when our faith is exposed, and God is honored.  Do you have a ... show-off faith?

Nothing Left

The ending of a day or a project or an event can leave us tired, frazzled, exhausted, spent. We feel as it there's nothing left! We can feel as if physically, mentally, emotionally we've given all we had, poured all-of-us into something. God said we are to love Him like that - with "all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." (Deuteronomy 6:5). The Hebrews word "heart" includes mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory, conscience ... the seat of all man's appetites, emotions, passions and courage. It is loving God and the things of God with all we are, and that love stimulates us to love in word and deed. Quite simply, it means we love God with all we have in us - till there's ... nothing left.

Read It Much

What do you read much? Do you first reach for a novel, a magazine, online articles? The answer to this question may bring some shame because I suspect the answer isn't God's Word. Men are often accused of ignoring the instructions or reaching for them as a last resort. While there may be some truth to that, I'm fairly confident we all are too often slow to reach for The Book that matters most! The psalmist wrote, "O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day (Psalm 119:97) ... "How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Psalm 119:103) ... "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105). The ones who agree with the psalmist's words will be the one who prefers The Word. George Muller wrote, "If the reader understands very little of the Word of God, he ought to read it very much; for the Spirit explains the Word by the Word. And if he enjoys the reading of the Word little, that is just the reason why he should read it very much; for the frequent reading of the Scriptures creates a delight in them." (from "Gathering Gems"). We lot "much" of many things - the beach, ice cream, etc. How much do I, do you love of the Word of God? That which we read much says a lot!

Live the Life

Retirees often say they're "living the life," - Mister Bill and I can relate to that! For us, the trade-off of morning alarms and work traffic for leisure days, family and travel has indeed been a new and good way to ... live life. To the Believers at Colossae, Paul encouraged living the New Life that was theirs in Christ Jesus: "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above not on things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:1-2, ESV). What a sad sight to see many Believers reflecting gloom and doom in their faces! Aren't we aware our old life died when we met Jesus! Paul continues by reminding us we are now "hidden with Christ in God" (V.3). When we know this in our hearts, it will show up on our faces! Everything changed when we received this New Life at salvation - God says we are to "set your minds," - seriously discipline yourselves to be continuously focused in the study, meditation, memorization and application of His Word. For the born-again child of God, it's the only way to ... live the life!